The Capacity Collective Team
We are a team of compassionate nerds. We have worked in nonprofits, government agencies, multinational corporations and universities. These varied experiences give us a diverse and powerful tool set we use to increase the capacity of small, grassroots organizations to tell your stories in your voices, be financially stable, and make systemic social changes that increase the capacities of the communities you serve.
Em Carr (they/them)
Senior Project Manager
Asheville, NC
Prior to The Capacity Collective, Em was a program coordinator for a home visiting program. In this role, they supported a team of home visitors in providing early learning education and case management supports to young parents in King County. Em cares deeply about reproductive and birth justice, and helping others realize their visions for a radical new future. They believe strongly in collective power, and strive to build community in all that they do. They hold a BA in History from Oberlin College. In their free time, Em enjoys taking way too many pictures of their cats, swimming in any of Western North Carolina’s beautiful rivers, and knitting.
Heather Ueckert (she/her)
Senior Project Manager
Appleton, WI
Prior to The Capacity Collective, Heather was a Process Improvement Program Manager/Coach for Digital Customer Technology at a nationwide retailer. In this role, she led teams through process transformation around strategy and visual management. Heather is in constant awe of the insatiable curiosity of young children and the loving resilience of their caregivers as they navigate new environments. She believes that courageous curiosity and compassion drive transformation. Heather holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Iowa State University. In her free time she enjoys creating colorful things out of fabric, playing volleyball and eating anything lemony.
Janae Teal (she/they)
Director of Programs
Digital Nomad
Prior to The Capacity Collective, Janae worked as an analyst for a county government where they developed various data processes and used data to advocate for local policy change. Janae cares deeply about harm reduction and advocating for people who use drugs, dismantling the criminal (in)justice system, and removing barriers for LGBTQ+ communities. She believes in the power of community and strives to make meaningful impacts in the world of data, social, and intersectional racial justice. Janae holds a BA in both Sociology and English from Washington State University and an MA in Public Sociology from Cal Poly Humboldt. In their free time they enjoy exploring new places, hanging out with their auntlets, listening to audiobooks, and supporting local breweries.
Jennifer Ruppelt (she/they)
Senior Project Manager
Montevideo, Uruguay
Before coming to The Capacity Collective, Jennifer worked with a Uruguayan non-profit in community development and the prevention of violence against children. She is passionate about creating a world where children are valued, supporting holistic wellbeing, and promoting LGBTQ+ rights. She believes that seemingly small changes can have big impacts in the lives of children, families and communities and she wants to be a part of creating change. Jennifer studied sociology and Spanish at Wheaton College. She loves pottery, gardening, traveling, and spending time with friends on the beach.
Meredith Williams (she/her)
Director of Operations
Digital Nomad
Before starting The Capacity Collective with Janae Teal, she was an Associate Professor of Sociology in the California State University system where she taught courses in criminology, theory and research methods. Meredith’s passions include keeping people out of the criminal justice system, harm reduction, and LGBTQ and disability issues. She believes in the “campsite rule” in that we should always leave the people and places we encounter better off. Meredith holds a PhD in Sociology from Washington State University. Meredith loves to experience the world, learn new things, and catch up with her many nieces and nephews.